Protoevangelium of James 19:1–3

^1a And look! A woman was coming down from the mountain, and she said to me, “Man, where are you going?” And I said, “I’m seeking a Hebrew midwife.” And in reply she said to me, “Are you from Israel?” And I said to her, “Yes.” Then she said, “And who’s the one giving birth in the cave?” And I said, “My betrothed.” (PJA) ^1b And she said to me, “She’s not your wife?” And I said to her, “Mary was nurtured in the Temple of the Lord, and it was decided by lot that she would be my wife, yet she’s not my wife; but she’s conceived from the Holy Spirit.” And the midwife said, “Really?” And Joseph said to her, “Come and see.” And the midwife went with him. (PJA) ² And they stood in front of the cave, and a bright cloud overshadowed the cave. And the midwife said, “My soul is magnified today, because my eyes have seen something wonderful. Salvation has been born to Israel!” And immediately the cloud withdrew from the cave, and a great light appeared in the cave, so that their eyes couldn’t bear it. And a little later, the light withdrew until an infant appeared. And he came and took the breast of his mother, Mary. And the midwife cried out and said, “How great today is for me, that I’ve seen this new miracle!” (PJA) ³ And the midwife went out from the cave, and Salome met her. And she said to her, “Salome, Salome, I have to describe a new sight to you. A virgin has given birth, which is against her nature!” And Salome said, “As the Lord my God lives, unless I examine her condition, I won’t believe that the virgin has given birth.” (PJA)